Urban Flea Market

A new tradition has begun in Salt Lake this year, and one that could eventually rival that of the Farmers Market and Living Traditions: the Urban Flea Market. Started in July of this year the Urban Flea market is held once every month on a Sunday, and runs until October. Nestled in Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City, the flea market offers items that range from vintage clothing to handmade crafts. Not only does this event foster a strong sense of community but encourages the positive effects of reusing and recycling, and purchasing home-made products.

Vintage items have become the popular items at the Flea Market and have added a vibrancy to the urban market. Today antiques are not only appealing just because they are old, but because they are green. The Flea Market provides an opportunity for household items to be re-purposed and reused instead of occupying landfill space. Instead of reproductions, Salt Lake’s Urban Flea Market offers original items. It leads people to seek out original pieces, rather than reproductions, as it focuses toward reuse and recycling instead of over consumption.

My own family participated in the event and like the other vendors, we were unpacking our various merchandise hours before the market opened. Once the market opened at nine, a stream of shoppers and locals were prevalent throughout the day, as families, older couples, and teens searched for that one item they couldn’t live without. The last flea market of the year will be held October 9th, so make sure to come on down, enjoy a day with your family, and help make the world a little greener.

Additional Info:

The market is held at Washington Square, at the City-County Building, the corner of 500 South and 200 East. Admission is free and 10-foot by 10-foot booth spaces for up to 80 vendors are available to rent for $30 a day. It includes a children’s arts and crafts area, family-friendly music, and pets available for adoption from the Humane Society.